Te Akau’s southern arm have a busy week ahead, with a big team at Thursday’s Riccarton Synthetic meeting before talented juvenile Cool Aza Rene treks to Wingatui on Sunday.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained gallopers will be out in force in each of the Rating 75 contests on the polytrack, with Mitre Peak, Alminette and Beau Brummell taking their place in the Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Rating 75 (1600m).
A mare by More Than Ready, Mitre Peak (More Than Ready) was only narrowly beaten when resuming behind subsequent winner Penvose Lad, then performed respectably last time out on the synthetic surface behind stablemate Vivacious.
Stakes performer Alminette (NZ) (Burgundy) finished ahead of Mitre Peak on that occasion, while Beau Brummell (NZ) (Embellish) is fresh-up from a spell and has recorded all four of his career wins over the mile distance.
“Mitre Peak was super first-up and good again second-up, she’s bounced through that really well and it looks a nice race for her,” Te Akau Racing assistant trainer Hunter Durrant said.
“Alminette bounced back into a bit of form last start as well, hopefully the step-up to a mile might be the key and she can get one.”
The stable is strongly represented in the Book A Suite Mid-Winter Xmas Races 21 June Rating 75 (1200m), with Caravella (NZ) (Caravaggio), Knowledge Is Power (NZ) (Written Tycoon) and Sorcha (NZ) (Burgundy) engaged over the sprint trip. The latter has a particular affinity with the synthetic surface, with three wins and three placings from nine attempts.
Caravella has also collected a victory on the course and Durrant said her 59kg impost shouldn’t be of too much concern on Thursday.
“She a tough wee mare that likes the poly, she’s going well,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier with her.
“Hayley’s (Hassman) claim will help Sorcha, she’s a handy poly horse and the 1200m will suit.
“It’ll be interesting to see how he (Knowledge Is Power) goes, but he’s a quick wee horse that will appreciate being on-speed on the synthetic.”
Of their remaining runners, Corps D’ Elite (So You Think) is a runner deserving of her maiden victory after a number of strong performances last preparation. The daughter of So You Think will likely contest the Entain / NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m), with the assist of in-form hoop George Rooke in the saddle.
“She’s quite a handy maidener, she should be breaking maidens fairly soon,” Durrant said. “She’s had a couple of nice trials to prepare so she’s ready to kick off her prep off well.”
Later in the week, Durrant is looking forward to the return of Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel), who put her ability on full display earlier in the two-year-old season.
A filly by former Te Akau star Cool Aza Beel, Cool Aza Rene defeated subsequent Karaka Millions contenders Sierra Leone and Abbakiss on debut, before holding off KM placegetter Miss Ziggy during New Zealand Cup Week in November.
She returned to Te Akau’s Riccarton base recently and appeared at the trials on the 20th of May, finishing a narrow second under a hold over 800m.
“She’s heading down to Wingatui, she had a trial at Ashburton last week and trialled well on a heavy track,” Durrant said. “She’s bounced through that and worked well again on the grass on Saturday, I can’t fault her.
“She’s obviously a pretty classy horse, having won here during Cup Week, so if she can bring that form, she should be pretty hard to beat.”
Cool Aza Rene will be the likely favourite in the 820m contest on Sunday, but beyond that, Durrant has no certain targets for the filly.
“We don’t necessarily have a race in mind this time, but as she turns three, there are plenty of options for her down here,” he said.